For sisters Chloe and Rachel Tankersley, GOAL is providing them with the perfect balance between academics and athletics. As Golden Eagles, Chloe and Rachel compete for Houston High School and Houston Middle School during the fall cross-country season and the spring track & field season, and the flexibility of GOAL allows them to excel in both their studies and these cross-country competitions.
As an 11th grade student, Rachel appreciates how GOAL has opened doors to experiences she might not have had in a traditional school setting. "Being a GOAL student allows me the opportunity to have time for things I normally wouldn’t be able to pursue," she shared. "Since my schoolwork is online and accessible anywhere, I can travel and still stay on top of my education." This flexibility has proven especially valuable during both cross-country and track & field, when travel is often required for competitions.
The ability to balance athletics and academics is a common theme for both sisters. Eighth-grader Chloe loves how GOAL gives her the freedom to focus on what matters most. “It gives me more time for family, recovery, and preparing for the next day of XC,” she said. The online nature of GOAL means Chloe can complete her schoolwork early in the day, leaving her with plenty of time to devote to her sport.
Both sisters also value the connections they've made through their extracurricular activities. Because they attend GOAL, they are able to maintain friendships with students at other GMSD schools and beyond, thanks to their involvement in Houston XC and track. "We enjoy talking about the differences between online and in-person school," Chloe noted.
One of Rachel’s favorite aspects of being a GOAL student is the support she receives from the school. "They always make an effort to shout out our upcoming races or results, which makes me feel really supported in both my academics and athletics," she said.
Even as an online school, GOAL frequently hosts in person events for their students to build and foster connections with each other, and for Chloe these events are one of the best parts of being a Golden Eagle, saying, "I love connecting with other students and learning new things when GOAL hosts events," she shared. These gatherings help create a sense of community that makes her online experience all the more meaningful.
The Tankersley sisters are shining examples of how GOAL’s flexible structure allows students to thrive in their passions while receiving a top-notch education. Whether it's in the classroom or on the track, they are representing GOAL and GMSD so well with positive attitudes and hard work ethic.